The economics of solar, geothermal and conventional space heating
The costs of residential heating using conventional, solar and geothermal energy were calculated for a number of locations throughout the United States using life-cycle costing methodology. Using these costs, regions and applications are identified which show the most promise for near-term commercialization of geothermal and solar energy. Equally important, areas and applications are depicted which are not likely to be promising for solar or geothermal heating in the near-term. The regions showing the most immediate promise for solar heating occur in central Nevada, Utah and Colorado. These regions are characterized by high levels of insolation and high annual heating degree-days. Geothermal urban district heating currently appears to be an economic option for providing space heat in at least six locations: Reno, Nevada; Idaho Falls, Boise and Twin Falls, Idaho; Helena, Montana; and Klamath Falls, Oregon. These areas are characterized by high annual heating degree-days, high resource temperatures, and short transmission distances. In the near-term, conventional heating will continue to be most economic: (1) in the South (where annual heat demand is low), (2) in the Northeast and Midwest (where insolation levels are low and where known geothermal resources are not yet available), and (3) in the Pacific Northwest coastal region (where low-cost electricity is available).
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Washington
- OSTI ID:
- 7146374
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-801210-
- Journal Information:
- Alternative Energy Sources; (United States), Vol. 8; Conference: 3. Miami international conference on alternative energy sources, Miami Beach, FL, USA, 15 Dec 1980
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
GEOTHERMAL SPACE HEATING
ECONOMICS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SOLAR SPACE HEATING
SPACE HEATING
COMPETITION
ELECTRICITY
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
GEOTHERMAL DISTRICT HEATING
LIFE-CYCLE COST
MARKET
NATURAL GAS
RETROFITTING
USA
BUILDINGS
COST
DISTRICT HEATING
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GEOTHERMAL HEATING
HEATING
NORTH AMERICA
SOLAR HEATING
140901* - Solar Thermal Utilization- Space Heating & Cooling
151000 - Geothermal Energy- Direct Energy Utilization
292000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Supply
Demand & Forecasting